A Passion For Pages: Karen Witemeyer

Showing posts with label Karen Witemeyer. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Previous COTT Laurel Champ, Karen Witemeyer, Releases Another Bestseller

Clash of the Titles' Laurel Award is in full swing with submissions just having closed and judges itching to get started. It'll be another three mail-biting months before the winner of the 2013 Laurel is announced. In the meantime, COTT continues to shine the light on its past winners, including Karen Witemeyer whose novel, "A Tailor-made Bride" won the 2011 Laurel. Today, COTT brings you her latest, "Stealing the Preacher."

{ABOUT THE BOOK}

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?

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READ CHAPTER ONE

PURCHASE

"Stealing the Preacher"

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

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{About Karen Witemeyer}

After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late 1800s.

"After the amazing response to the Archer brothers depicted in Short-Straw Bride, I couldn't wait to craft a stand-alone story for Crockett, the charmer of the Archer clan. First, I had a gang of over-the-hill outlaws steal him from a train then tangled him up with the gang leader's daughter, a heroine with enough sense to look beneath his charm and sufficient spirit to fight for what she wants. Finally, since Crockett is no ordinary preacher, but a gun-toting rancher with a gift for doctoring . . . well, that meant a plot full of scrapes, trouble, and untold shenanigans. But amid the adventure and romance lies a heartrending tale of God's pursuit of a single lost soul." --Karen Witemeyer

Monday, June 17, 2013

A Writer's Review of “Stealing the Preacher” by Karen Witemeyer

{My Review}

Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite authors. She writes flawlessly. She also writes about such likable characters, who any reader can tell, simply belong together. This story about Crockett Archer and Joanna Robbins was a little different than the rest of her books. There wasn't nearly as much conflict as usual, but it was still INCREDIBLY enjoyable. Another thing thing that was different was the more direct focus upon God's salvation and the fact that there were three character perspectives throughout the book.

Crockett Archer is a carry-over character from Karen's last book Short-Straw Bride (which I adored!). She doesn't usually write "series" books, but I was completely okay with this. His character fit in so well with this new adventure he was set to take... on his way to Joanna.

Much of the conflict near the middle of the book had to do with another young woman constantly, and rather shamelessly, throwing herself at Crockett... with Crockett not really doing much to dissuade her. That made me a bit perturbed, but not enough that I didn't fly through the pages all the way to the end... and staying up till three in the morning to do so.

This was a very delightful read... something I totally expected. Karen is a very talented author, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for readers in the coming years.

I received a complimentary paperback version of Karen Witemeyer's Stealing the Preacher by Bethany House publishers in order to give a review containing my honest opinion.

I give Stealing the Preacher 4 Stars.

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A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw’s daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can’t believe it when he’s forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He’s determined to escape–which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.
Purchase a copy here.

Read Chapter 1 here.

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{More About Karen Whitmeyer}

Two-time RITA finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance because she believes that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Karen Witemeyer is "kindling" the excitement for Stealing the Preacher (Bethany House) with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at her June 18th Facebook Author Chat Party!

One winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire
Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at 4pm on June 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Stealing the Preacher" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 18th. Connect with Karen for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Karen will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Stealing the Preacher and join Karen on the evening of June 18th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

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Read all of Karen's Books!

Monday, December 31, 2012

My Top 12 Reads of 2012

Well, I did it.

My goal was to read 48 books this year, and I have. There were a few in there I might have given up on before ACTUALLY finishing, but I did try. Here is a list of my Top Twelve Reads for the year 2012.

(They are listed in the order I read them with a link to my review)

The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter

(Contemporary Romance, Thomas Nelson)

I loved the love-hate tension Denise Hunter created between the two main characters of this book. I really didn't know which side I was on concerning the hurts they both caused one another in the past.

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The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen
(Regency Historical Romance, Bethany House)

Julie Klassen always amazes me with her fleshed out characters and flawless plots.
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My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
(Contemporary Romance, Bethany House)

This book came out of nowhere and totally blew me (and all of my friends!) away. I'd never heard of Becky Wade before last spring, but I sure am going to keep my eye on her books in the future!

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Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
(Historical Romance, Bethany House)

Karen Witemeyer is another author I can always count on for true-to-life characters and plots that make me sigh all the way to her satisfying endings.
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The Messenger by Siri Mitchell
(Revolutionary Historical Romance, First Person, Bethany House)

Hannah Sunderland and Jeremiah Jones were, quite possibly, my favorite couple of the year. Which is funny, because the story is about so much more than them falling in love. I blame the fact that it was written from both of their perspectives in first person.
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Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan
by Melanie Dobson
(Historical Romance, Summerside Press

Melanie Dobson was another new author for me. I loved the suspense in this book, even if part of it was not having the hero and heroine meet until close to the middle of the book.

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The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden
(Historical Romance, Bethany House)

Atmosphere. Dark and gothic. And real.

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Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund
(Historical Romance, Bethany House)

I blazed through this book so fast, I wished it was twice as long! Actually, I wish any of Jody Hedlund's books were twice as long.

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A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman
(1920's Historical Romance, Revell)

AMAZING wrap up for the O'Connor Family. I think Steven was my favorite of them all... but that might only because his was the last book. I think that every time I read any of Julie's books.

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Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin
(1920's Historical Romance, First Person, Bethany House)

This was such a touching story written from first person perspective about a young woman finding her true place in the world.

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Against The Tide by Elizabeth Camden
(Historical Romance, Bethany House)

Translating foreign codes for the Navy, bringing down drug rings, and going undercover at a secluded, palatial mansion. Oh, and Alexander Banebridge. Lydia Pallas's heart never had a chance.
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The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen
(Regency Historical Romance, Bethany House)

Oh, how I love a good, sigh-worthy Regency! And this one had it all! A Country House, masters and servants--and everyone in between, the sea-weathered cliffs and bluffs off of the coast of Cornwall, and a brooding hero who saves the heroine from certain death! (yes, I love the melodramatic...)
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I hope you enjoyed my list and will look these titles up in the coming months! I'd love to hear what you thought of them!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Writer's Review of “Short-Straw Bride" by Karen Witemeyer

There aren’t many authors who WOW me every time they write a new book. But fortunately there are some. And Karen Witemeyer is one of them. Starting with her first book, I have read all four of her books the first chance I had once they were released.

I remember getting her first book from the library and wondering if it was going to leave me feeling, “Ho-hum, that was an okay story written tolerably well... enough,” or if I perhaps had stumbled upon one of those books that (and please let me point out that I really do hope for this second reaction every time I read a new author... but am more often than not terribly disappointed) would delight me by the perfectly drawn-out emotions of the characters, leave me in awe of the author’s ability and talent for combining just the right words in every sentence, and make me fall in love with the characters so entirely that I remember them and their story even years later. (I know, I’m a touch critic, huh? Well, that’s just how it is).

Okay, I’ll just admit it. I am in love with Karen’s writing and story-telling abilities. There.

I don’t even know if there’s anything more to say! But I will try. :)

Short-Straw Bride is her fourth and newest release from Bethany House. I have to be honest, I’ve read a book in the recent past which had a plot much like this one—only it wasn’t written nearly as well and I was left with the complete opposite reaction after reading it. That other book was the first book I’d read by that “new-to-me” author… and I haven’t been able to get through any more of that author’s books, though I have tried. All that to say, there really is nothing new under the sun—only different levels of talent in the authors who continue to take us to the places and situations we love to go time and time again.

Karen’s stories and characters carry a depth to them that doesn’t seem contrived in any way. The settings are appealing, the characters are likable (despite their flaws), and the plots are perfectly orchestrated. It makes me wonder if she’s a plotter/outliner (like me) from the beginning of the story, and not a seat-of-the-pantser (someone who writes their stories without a defined journey or outcome).

If you haven’t read any of Karen’s books, I highly recommend them. I borrowed Short-Straw Bride from my local library and have written this extremely honest review just because I wanted to. I give Short-Straw Bride 5 stars.

To watch the book trailer for Short-Straw Bride, or to read the first chapters of any of Karen Witemeyer’s books click here.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

A Writer's Review of “To Win Her Heart" by Karen Witemeyer

It's three for three and I'm hooked. Karen Witemeyer is quickly becoming one of those authors I'm continually waiting on. Waiting for her next book, that is.

And they're not even enormously long or complex, which is usually how my favorite books tend to be (and yes, I'm talking to you, Julie Lessman). Witemeyer's books are just so--entertaining. I've loved all three of them so far. Every time I think back on any one of them, I just get those little flutterbies in my heart. You know what I mean?

What floored me about To Win Her Heart in particular is the way Witemeyer so painstakingly took the time to figure out how ex-boxer/ex-con/blacksmith, Levi Grant, would strive to hide his speech impediment by NEVER using the letter S or the soft sound of the letter C. Amazing. And I just adored Eden Spencer and her little in-home library. These two characters, as opposite as they were--were so entirely made for each other--in a way that only a great author could create.

I loved this book and kick myself in the pants every time I think back to the chance I had to make it my own by reviewing it for Bethany House. Yes, instead of this book, I ended up choosing a book I couldn't stand to finish. My advice to you is to not only read this book, but all three of Karen Witemeyer's books.

I borrowed this book from my local Allen County Library and I give it 5 STARS.